I beat depression. I hope this will help others who battle depression. That is not to say that everybody has my problem of chemical imbalance or this is everybody's solution. But the dietary change presented here may help reduce your symptoms. Depression is serious. Whatever you do, get qualified help to monitor your progress.
Have you struggled with depression throughout your life but couldn't discover the root cause?
I have, and it nearly drove me to suicide. Let me tell you my story...
There were times I considered suicide, but struggled through to get over the hump, only to have the beast come back at me. At times it left me unable to function, unable to sleep, unable to get out of bed. This is a horrible way to spend life.
It finally came to a head. The pressures of marriage, children, job stress, and exhaustion left me completely drained. And the depression started growing and growing.
I would either beat it or become a suicide victim.
I say victim because I was to the point I couldn't control the thoughts and images. And my marriage was in jeapordy. I couldn't stand the thought of losing my family, they didn't want to lose me.
My wife finally convinced me to begin seeing a therapist...
It finally came to a head. The pressures of marriage, children, job stress, and exhaustion left me completely drained. And the depression started growing and growing.
I would either beat it or become a suicide victim.
I say victim because I was to the point I couldn't control the thoughts and images. And my marriage was in jeapordy. I couldn't stand the thought of losing my family, they didn't want to lose me.
My wife finally convinced me to begin seeing a therapist...
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How medication helped my depression... and drove my wife crazy...
I began seeing a therapist at my university. It felt good to talk about my problems, but there was no solution. I started taking Prozac, but the longer I was on it, the more side effects I noticed.
Side effects such as obsessive-compulsive behavior.
The images and thoughts of suicide subsided, but I was driving my wife and myself crazy from the side effects. I would walk behind her and do things like move the flower vase she put down out of the way to the perfect middle of the table. Moreover, the core of depression remained. I decided medication was no permanent solution. It served its purpose in the short term, but...
There had to be something better...
Side effects such as obsessive-compulsive behavior.
The images and thoughts of suicide subsided, but I was driving my wife and myself crazy from the side effects. I would walk behind her and do things like move the flower vase she put down out of the way to the perfect middle of the table. Moreover, the core of depression remained. I decided medication was no permanent solution. It served its purpose in the short term, but...
There had to be something better...
Before your therapist tries anti-depressants, ask if they will first try one of these natural treatments
If you want to be an informed consumer about natural depression treatments, this book is essential
Prepare to have your eyes opened! Inside this book is coverage of the important natural depression treatments that you with your therapist can try. And imagine... none of the side effects common to anti-depressants. I wish I had known about these important alternative treatments. I still use suggestions inside this book. But I think the most important for anybody who is attempting to begin the road to recovery are the nutritional supplements 5-HTP and SAMe discussed in the book. If you want to begin your road to recovery, be sure to get this book.
Dealing with Depression Naturally : Alternatives and Complementary Therapies for Restoring Emotional Health
Amazon Price: $18.76 (as of 12/08/2009) 
How I researched my depression and discovered a little known fact that would change my life forever.
I decided to do as much research as I could about the causes of depression and find my own solution, or die trying.
I found some research linking sugar to depression, and with further investigation found two very good books about the history of sugar and the clinical evidence linking sugar (and refined flour) to depression. What follows is the way I understand the effects...
High glycemic load foods increase your blood sugar. Everybody knows about diabetes and the effect of blood sugar on people who can't produce enough insulin in response.
But these books described something I had never heard. Some people produce too much insulin in response to blood sugar. Insulin is a depressant that lingers in the blood system far longer than the sugar high that produced it.
So my depression might not be a mental disease, but a physiological response to the sugar high.
This made sense, especially because I would have continual sugar cravings after eating sugar. Maybe my body was trying to balance itself by getting more blood sugar to balance the high insulin levels. But then that triggers more insulin release and results in an endless loop that resulted in me on a collision course with endless bouts of depression.
I found some research linking sugar to depression, and with further investigation found two very good books about the history of sugar and the clinical evidence linking sugar (and refined flour) to depression. What follows is the way I understand the effects...
High glycemic load foods increase your blood sugar. Everybody knows about diabetes and the effect of blood sugar on people who can't produce enough insulin in response.
But these books described something I had never heard. Some people produce too much insulin in response to blood sugar. Insulin is a depressant that lingers in the blood system far longer than the sugar high that produced it.
So my depression might not be a mental disease, but a physiological response to the sugar high.
This made sense, especially because I would have continual sugar cravings after eating sugar. Maybe my body was trying to balance itself by getting more blood sugar to balance the high insulin levels. But then that triggers more insulin release and results in an endless loop that resulted in me on a collision course with endless bouts of depression.
Important books linking sugar to depression and the reasons you'll want to avoid this drug
Get to know the history and cause of sugar addiction and how you can overcome it
It's time to face the facts... sugar is killing America. From out-of-control diabetes to expensive dental care for cavities, sugar is draining our bodies, our wallets, and our minds. It is a legalized drug that has NO nutritional benefit. The best thing you can do for yourself is to cut it out right now. And these books will help you.
Why do you need help? Because sugar addiction is rampant among Americans and even throughout the world. Just try going a week without sweets and you'll know what I mean. You'll suffer headaches and uncontrollable cravings... just like a recovering drug addict.
So if you want to get off sugar, start with these books.
Why do you need help? Because sugar addiction is rampant among Americans and even throughout the world. Just try going a week without sweets and you'll know what I mean. You'll suffer headaches and uncontrollable cravings... just like a recovering drug addict.
So if you want to get off sugar, start with these books.
The Sugar Addict's Total Recovery Program
Filled with the author's important research that first linked sugar to depression, and the story of how alcoholics led to her important break-through. Doing the recommendations of this book alone improved my mental state to the point I was taken off anti-depressants.
Amazon Price: $10.20 (as of 12/08/2009)
Sugar Shock!: How Sweets and Simple Carbs Can Derail Your Life-- and How YouCan Get Back on Track
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 12/08/2009)
Why I wanted to go further and improve my physical lethargy
I began to feel increasingly better and soon did not need the Prozac anymore. But I was still having mood swings. And I was still physically lethargic, no energy to exercise, no energy to play with my kids. Mentally I was 80%, but physically I just wasn't where I wanted to be. This needed more investigation...
The diet that not only fixed my mental problems, but gave me so much energy I started running for the first time in ten years!
So if diet was the key to my depression, diet must also be the key to better physical condition. But I already ate healthily. At least according to the USDA food pyramid.
But isn't the USDA the same people allowing all the sugar and refined flours to be fed to our children and who authorized trans-fatty acids in our food system?
Maybe there is something wrong with the food pyramid.
Off to the library... where I discovered books that led me to feeling better than I remember feeling for as long as I remember. The most compelling and convincing to me was the Paleo Diet. Other diets have similar principles, but the Paleo Diet was the book that best presented the information to me.
What's wrong with grains?
Grains were not a major part of our diet until the agricultural revolution beginning about 13,000 years ago. That means we evolved during our most genetically turbulant time and for most of our evolutionary history eating as hunter-gatherers, which means meat, fruit, nuts and vegetables.
I have read some books that argue that we don't have to entirely cut grains and starches out saying that we must have evolved somewhat to accept these as possible food choices. Based on my personal experience, I have decided to cut them all out.
Grains were...
You may draw your own conclusions based on your experiences and decide to reduce rather than eliminate.
I also find fruits and vegetables more tasty.
And no ice cream? How about fruit smoothies...mmmm! Just be careful to watch the amount of juice you drink. It contains high amounts of sugar, too.
But isn't the USDA the same people allowing all the sugar and refined flours to be fed to our children and who authorized trans-fatty acids in our food system?
Maybe there is something wrong with the food pyramid.
Off to the library... where I discovered books that led me to feeling better than I remember feeling for as long as I remember. The most compelling and convincing to me was the Paleo Diet. Other diets have similar principles, but the Paleo Diet was the book that best presented the information to me.
- Eat protein. Protein is neccessary for proper brain functions and physical well-being. This is a product of our evolution. Protein also helps maintain blood sugar levels, thereby avoiding the afternoon (or whenever) energy drops.
- Eat carbohydrates in the form of fruits and vegetables. No vitamin (or any other) supplements are needed because fruits and vegetables are nutrient dense... they pack a lot of nutrition in a little package
- Cut out grains, starches, and sugars. Not only was this triggering my insulin response, but weight-wise, fruits and vegetables contribute far more vitamins and fiber to our diet than grains.
What's wrong with grains?
Grains were not a major part of our diet until the agricultural revolution beginning about 13,000 years ago. That means we evolved during our most genetically turbulant time and for most of our evolutionary history eating as hunter-gatherers, which means meat, fruit, nuts and vegetables.
I have read some books that argue that we don't have to entirely cut grains and starches out saying that we must have evolved somewhat to accept these as possible food choices. Based on my personal experience, I have decided to cut them all out.
Grains were...
- One of the causes of my depression,
- Product of large agri-business,
- Source of pork-barrel spending (especially corn), and
- Cause of a lot of environmental pollution (nitrate fertilizers in drinking water).
You may draw your own conclusions based on your experiences and decide to reduce rather than eliminate.
I also find fruits and vegetables more tasty.
And no ice cream? How about fruit smoothies...mmmm! Just be careful to watch the amount of juice you drink. It contains high amounts of sugar, too.
How a dog that couldn't walk taught me the truth about healthy eating...
I have been to New York City once.
When I was walking down a street around NYU I saw a woman with a small dog. The dog looked like it was about to lay down and die. It was grossly overweight, had a very difficult time breathing, and walked so slow the woman was nearly dragging it by its leash.
I wondered what was wrong with it. Then she stopped, reached down, and fed it a pastry, which it gladly ate while wagging its tail.
That told me all I needed to know about pastries. Let me tell you why...
There is a reason we adopted wolves into our tribes long ago and domesticated them into our dogs. We shared many commonalities: family and group mentalities, loyalties, and (importantly) common food sources (meaning meat). We helped each other in the hunt. The speed of dogs with the intelligence of humans. Most dog owners I know are very worried about their pets' health and feed their dog a good diet to maintain their health, with more and more switching to a high protein dog food...
Don't we owe ourselves and our families a healthy diet based on evolutionary and archeological evidence?
When I was walking down a street around NYU I saw a woman with a small dog. The dog looked like it was about to lay down and die. It was grossly overweight, had a very difficult time breathing, and walked so slow the woman was nearly dragging it by its leash.
I wondered what was wrong with it. Then she stopped, reached down, and fed it a pastry, which it gladly ate while wagging its tail.
That told me all I needed to know about pastries. Let me tell you why...
There is a reason we adopted wolves into our tribes long ago and domesticated them into our dogs. We shared many commonalities: family and group mentalities, loyalties, and (importantly) common food sources (meaning meat). We helped each other in the hunt. The speed of dogs with the intelligence of humans. Most dog owners I know are very worried about their pets' health and feed their dog a good diet to maintain their health, with more and more switching to a high protein dog food...
Don't we owe ourselves and our families a healthy diet based on evolutionary and archeological evidence?
The diet that finally gave me the power to manage my mood... and as a side effect made me feel 10 years younger
If you want to increase your happiness and energy level, then you should try this...
The Paleo Diet finally gave me the power to control my life, my mood, and actually boosted my energy levels to make me feel 10 years younger. Here's why...
Although I had cut out sugar from my diet and felt incredibly better than I had for years, I was still lethargic with low energy levels. The Paleo Diet helped me to understand why. You see, white refined flour has the same effect on blood sugar as sugar does. And more than that, grains actually have much less nutritional value than vegetables, berries, and fruits.
Two days after discovering the Paleo Diet I actually started to run to work off the extra energy that was welled up inside of me. And I hadn't run in over 10 years! I felt incredible...
And my experience with improved mood and energy is precisely why I recommend the Paleo Diet so highly.
Although I had cut out sugar from my diet and felt incredibly better than I had for years, I was still lethargic with low energy levels. The Paleo Diet helped me to understand why. You see, white refined flour has the same effect on blood sugar as sugar does. And more than that, grains actually have much less nutritional value than vegetables, berries, and fruits.
Two days after discovering the Paleo Diet I actually started to run to work off the extra energy that was welled up inside of me. And I hadn't run in over 10 years! I felt incredible...
And my experience with improved mood and energy is precisely why I recommend the Paleo Diet so highly.
The Paleo Diet: Lose Weight and Get Healthy by Eating the Food You Were Designed to Eat
Imagine a diet that is easy and simple to follow, backed by scientific research, and makes sense from the view of history. Dr. Cordain's Paleo-Diet book is the one diet book I most recommend if you want to beat sugar's effects on your mental capacity. It is based on scientific, historical, and anthropological evidence.
Amazon Price: $9.72 (as of 12/08/2009)
New to the Paleo Diet and Cooking and don't know what to cook?
If so, here is an incredible resource...
There just aren't many (if any) Paleo Diet cookbooks out there. Here is the one I've found. It's an e-book, so you can print out and keep handy only those recipes you actually use instead of filling up your bookshelf with recipes you never even try. Just imagine... this is your chance to trade thick cookbooks full of sugar-loaded recipes for the handful of dependable recipes you actually cook to maintain your mental and physical fitness.
Learn more from these good links about the Paleo diet
- The Paleo Diet
- This is the website of Dr. Loren Cordain, author of the Paleo Diet. It gives an overview of the diet and his research findings. You may also sign up for his e-newsletter.
- Processed Sugar Can Cause Addiction and Depression
- A short overview of the linkage of sugar to depression.
- Interview with Dr. DesMaisons
- Talking about sugar/depression linkages.
- Sugar, health, and the U.S. diet
- More evidence.
- Lots of information
- Not all of this is scientifically based (which is why I prefer Dr. Cordain's information). Take some of this with a grain of salt.
- More information
- A diet of lean meat, fish, fruits and vegetables is considered to represent a Paleolithic Diet and such a diet is basically that to which humans are genetically adapted
- Information overview from Australia
- I have read somewhere recently about a 'Paleolithic
diet'. What exactly is the 'Paleolithic diet'?
This answer is brought to you by many of the Australian
nutrition professionals who regularly contribute to a nutrition email discussion group. The 'Paleolithic Era' was the period com - Testimonial
- This is the Ray Audette "Neanderthin" diet. Dr. Cordain's Paleo Diet is different in that Audette bases his diet more on Eskimos, which is typically much higher in protein/fat because of their environment, while Cordain emphasizes more fruits, nuts, berries, and vegetables. I tend to like Cordain's version better because it is more sustainable given world population levels and dovetails nicely with my interest in Permaculture.
- Wikipedia page about the Paleolithic period
- I have always had an interest in archeology and history. This diet led me to study other things about our Paleo ancestors. Through this I discovered the beauty of their art, interesting societal information, and felt more in tune with who I am and what I believe based on my ancestors. I would suggest the book Prehistoric art and civilization by Denis Vialou and the video On the rocks: Prehistoric art of France and Spain.
A Summary Of The Books I Recommend
Here are all the books I've recommended from my story
Dealing with Depression Naturally : Alternatives and Complementary Therapies for Restoring Emotional Health
Amazon Price: $18.76 (as of 12/08/2009)
The Sugar Addict's Total Recovery Program
Amazon Price: $10.20 (as of 12/08/2009)
Sugar Shock!: How Sweets and Simple Carbs Can Derail Your Life-- and How YouCan Get Back on Track
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 12/08/2009)
The Paleo Diet: Lose Weight and Get Healthy by Eating the Food You Were Designed to Eat
Amazon Price: $9.72 (as of 12/08/2009)
Did "How I Beat Depression" answer your questions? Tell me what you think...
Here's your chance... tell me what you think.
Is there a topic you want more information on?
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- too blessed to be depressed too blessed to be depressed Nov 10, 2009 @ 4:16 pm
- first off....thank you for this information and to all the responses.
my story.
my fiancee and i had a great weekend! until....i decide to down a pint of ice cream. which leads me to here. today, we talked and he said he wants me to snap out of my moodswings....get some fresh air, do something i enjoy! i am now lying in bed --unable to get and i feel severly trapped. mind you, when just a few days ago i was feeling on top of the world! it wasnt until --ONE DAY LATER--after inhaling all that sugar, i am feeling the lows of depression. i am a sugar fanatic! i can live on sweets alone....i have been like this for years. and for the same amount of time, my mental state has declined.
THEY MUST BE LINKED!!!!!!! THEY HAVE TO BE. I AM GOING TO NOW TRY GOING WITHOUT THE SUGAR. which will be good because i can do without the cravings and my fiancee, who has ADD, the moodswings...
not one for the crazy meds..but maybe im am doing something to create this imbalance.
THANKS
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- Gloria G. Gloria G. Nov 5, 2009 @ 8:40 am
- I was so excited to stumble across your page. I was diagnosed with depression very early on being placed on prozac at the age of 9. Then, this was an experimental drug, and the side effects were unknown, since Prozac is now not intended for children as we know it causes alter effects. I soon enough had refused to take them, but suffered tremendously. I was troubled for my teens and into my adulthood. The anxiety was unbearable. I had worked with several therapists, and was diagnosed with BP. They wanted me on meds.
But I wouldnt budge. I tried EVERYTHING. I began seeking alternatives, stumbling across an incredible naturapath who placed me on low doses of Lithium, as well as a D5 blend containing 5-htp, L-lysine, L-tyrosine. But it wasnt until My husband, who is a nutrition certified CrossFit coach, brought home his "Paleo" information that things really took off for me. I delve in right away, CrossFitting, and eating STRICTLY PALEO! I got better, and FAST!
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- Norma_Budden Norma_Budden Oct 31, 2009 @ 12:03 pm
- Well, I must admit that I was only looking for other lenses to promote on the lens I am creating about depression, When Darkness Settles In; your lens will definitely make it as one of the featured lenses. :)
While I'm sorry to hear of the struggles you've had, I'm enthused that you did not end up a victim of suicide; I wrote a book about it a few years ago and it was a heart-wrenching experience. However, I'm amazed how sugar and grains were, largely, the contributing factors.
I don't suffer from depression but I have every intention of cutting down on my sugar intake. Thanks for this article! It has taught me something new.
Norma
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- Suprtlchk Suprtlchk Oct 20, 2009 @ 10:13 pm
- I am researching for a brochure to show to clients in our therapy office and for grad school. This site was helpful to pull together some great resources. It has been difficult to find good published articles.... a sugar free diet to cure depression doesn't make for big bucks.. so no $ to support research. Thank goodness for universities! I was drawn to this subject because of my own battle with fatigue, IBS, and slight reoccurring depression... the chiropractors wife is a nutritionist.. she put be on a sugar & gluten free diet for 3 weeks... I was jumping out of bed on day 2! Stopped taking my Provigil asap! It was fabulous. I too am off the wagon..late nights doing school work but next shopping trip will be sugar free! Thank heavens for good organic/health food stores!
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- sue ellen sue ellen Sep 26, 2009 @ 3:31 pm
- i found this page very helpful, thank you. I will try to stay off sugar to see if it helps
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- Ringo Ringo Sep 1, 2009 @ 12:28 am
- My daughter, Amanda, is not quite 10 years old and has had 5 years of therapy. One year play therapy, 3 years of holding therapy and 1 year of talk therapy. The diagnosis is bipolar disease and reactive attachment disorder.
She throws violent fits several times per week. She is treated by a child psychiatrist and is heavily medicated. At our wits end we decided to try EFT training with Gary Craig. We have applied the training and are already seeing more improvement than with all the other therapies combined.
We still have a long way to go, but for the first time in many years we have hope that the fits may be stopped and our daughter can have a normal life.
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- Ann Ann Aug 11, 2009 @ 12:19 pm
- I have not been diagnosed as clinically depressed, however, my mother commited suicide when I was very young (she was depressed for most of my life). I too have felt depressed experiencing very low moods for no particular reason and along with that being extremly lethargic. So I stumbled on the paleo diet and started it with gusto, to loose weight and to my delight found I had more energy and clearer thoughts for the first time I could remember. I did fall off the waggon, and started eating chocolate and bread again, and low and behold my low moods and lethargy returned (coincidence? I don't thinks so)
I am now back on the waggon again with gusto and plan not to fall off again.
I do have to overcome the teasing from family, but I will over come, I want good health for the future.
So for those who may be sceptical, I challenge you to try the paelo diet for a few weeks, and see what your experiences are. What have you got to lose?
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- Steve Steve Jul 10, 2009 @ 7:40 am
- It's good to heart that there is at least a thearetical link between sugar and depression. My own experience (which has lead me to read up on it), is that I gave up sugar and bad carbs for 3 weeks as part of a diet to lose weight. The consequence of it was that my depression almost dissapeared- I felt great and full of energy. Like another poster said though, it's hard to keep away from the addiction and after succumbing to my sugar cravings again for a week or so, I feel lower than ever. But this time I can see a distinct reason for it. I'm gonna cut it out again and see how I get along. If the low mood dissapears again I think I'll become a bit of an evangelisst.
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- PhilipDRiggs PhilipDRiggs Jun 27, 2009 @ 7:34 am
- I wholeheartedly agree with Omega-3. I've read some recent research to the benefits of Omega-3 for depression and it appears to really work. But (personally) I absolutely needed to get my blood sugar stabilized while adding the great benefits of Omega-3 to really beat my depression... and that only came by dumping sugar and white flour. Exercise is a different matter altogether. Let me tell you why from my own experience.
If my therapist had told me to exercise when I was in the depths of depression and imagining suicide it would have been like putting the Wall of China in front of me... a barrier I never could have overcome. For many depressed people I think exercise is something they can pursue after beginning to feel better, not when in the middle of the illness. I heard too many people tell me I just needed to get out and get fresh air. Those people didn't understand the illness and how it doesn't leave you lethargic... it leaves you as debilitated as if locked in a jail cell.
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- lynn lynn Jun 19, 2009 @ 2:57 pm
- thank you for taking time to encourage others through your experience. I've been off sugar for 3 wks. but i fell off the wagon and now I'm feeling terrible again. I know the consequences of this drug but yet I can't keep my motivation. But now I have no choice! you have given me the strength I need. bless you on your journey cuz you have blessed me.
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- BookMama BookMama May 28, 2009 @ 11:47 am
- Hi,
I also found that dietary changes can affect depression. While I'm a big fan of Omega 3 in the diet, I agree with you that, what works for some may not work for all. But I want people to be aware of possible alternative, non-medication treatments for depression, so I created a lens on two natural treatments for depression -- Omega 3 and exercise. I hope you'll stop by.
I'm so happy that you are doing so well and that your marriage survived. Sounds from VIctoria's comment above that you are already helping others through this lens. Nice job!
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- davidstillwagon davidstillwagon May 22, 2009 @ 2:53 pm
- that is an interesting concept about sugar and depression. I hadn't heard about it before. Of course it probably wouldn't work for everyone.
Good lens I'll give it a 5
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- victoria victoria May 16, 2009 @ 7:48 pm
- I have been aware of sugar's effect on my mental state for a few years now, but I always seem to fall off the wagon. It starts with a special occasion and continues for the following weeks to come untill I have a mental meltdown with tears and lethargy. My husband graciously reminds me before I take that first bite then next thing I know he's telling the kids to give me a rest as he is closing the bedroom door behind him because I am completely overrun by sadness and anxiety. I truly beleive I could lead a happy productive life if I could just cut out the sugar. I am currently in a funk right now and in desparation have Googled "deprssion sugar" leading me here ..."How I beat depression". I too will one day be able to say that I beat depression...maybe it will be this time.
by PhilipDRiggs
I am building my online version of life, the universe, and everything... as I see it! People have commented on my ability to provide solutions to prob... (more)
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